What is the first step to determine Norton equivalent resistance in a circuit?

What is the first step to determine Norton equivalent resistance in a circuit?

• A. Short the power supply
• B. Open the power supply
• C. Measure the current in the circuit
• D. Remove the load resistor

Answer: (A)

Determining the Norton equivalent resistance of a circuit involves applying a method that simplifies the circuit for easier analysis. The first step in this process is to deactivate all independent sources. For current sources, this means shorting them, while for voltage sources, they should be opened. By shorting the power supply (which typically represents a voltage source), you eliminate its effect on the network, allowing you to focus solely on the resistances in the circuit. This action also enables you to analyze how the remaining resistors in the circuit interact when no voltage is present. Once the circuit is simplified in this way, you can directly calculate the equivalent resistance across the terminals where the load would connect, which is essential for determining the Norton equivalent. Understanding the reason for this step is crucial to ensuring accuracy in your calculations and to effectively apply the principles of circuit analysis in various scenarios. In contrast, opening the power supply or removing the load resistor may not contribute effectively to finding the Norton equivalent resistance. Measuring the current in the circuit might be necessary later, but it is not relevant at this initial stage of the analysis.

Determining the Norton equivalent resistance of a circuit involves applying a method that simplifies the circuit for easier analysis. The first step in this process is to deactivate all independent sources. For current sources, this means shorting them, while for voltage sources, they should be opened.

By shorting the power supply (which typically represents a voltage source), you eliminate its effect on the network, allowing you to focus solely on the resistances in the circuit. This action also enables you to analyze how the remaining resistors in the circuit interact when no voltage is present. Once the circuit is simplified in this way, you can directly calculate the equivalent resistance across the terminals where the load would connect, which is essential for determining the Norton equivalent.

Understanding the reason for this step is crucial to ensuring accuracy in your calculations and to effectively apply the principles of circuit analysis in various scenarios.

In contrast, opening the power supply or removing the load resistor may not contribute effectively to finding the Norton equivalent resistance. Measuring the current in the circuit might be necessary later, but it is not relevant at this initial stage of the analysis.